Monterrey surprised fans and pundits alike by holding Inter Milan—reigning Champions League and Serie A runners-up—to a 1-1 draw in a thrilling Group E matchup of the FIFA Club World Cup, played on Tuesday at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

Led by Domènec Torrent, the Mexican side stood tall against a high-caliber opponent. Despite facing moments of pressure, they secured a valuable point in their tournament debut, with veteran defender Sergio Ramos opening the scoring. The equalizer came courtesy of Argentine striker Lautaro Martínez, just before halftime.

All the Goals from Monterrey vs Inter in the Club World Cup

The match kicked off with Inter controlling possession early, but struggling to penetrate the final third. During the first fifteen minutes, Cristian Chivu’s side kept the ball moving with patience but lacked real danger in attack. In contrast, Rayados gradually gained confidence and settled into the game.

In the 25th minute, Monterrey’s persistence paid off. Off a perfectly delivered corner kick from Óliver Torres, Sergio Ramos soared above the defense and powered in a trademark header past Yann Sommer, putting the Mexican team ahead 1-0.

The goal jolted Inter, who found their rhythm just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, following a set-piece, Lautaro Martínez found space inside the box and calmly finished to level the score. The goal brought relief to the Italian side after a tough opening period.

The second half saw Inter Milan take more control of the game, forcing Monterrey to drop deeper and defend. Still, Rayados came close in the 65th minute when Germán Berterame fired from point-blank range, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Sommer.

Chivu’s substitutions injected energy into his team, allowing Inter to push forward with more intent. However, the Mexican defense stood firm and managed to preserve the draw.

With this result, both teams earned one point in Group E, currently led by River Plate, who defeated Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1. In the next round, Inter will face the Japanese side, while Monterrey will take on River Plate, aiming to continue their strong run.